Events Archive

The ICNY has a rich history of hosting interfaith events and public forums that engage and inform audiences in New York City and around the world about diverse religious and cultural traditions. The ICNY delights in sharing events—political, artistic, spiritual—with the religious and public communities at large in New York City and the world. The most recent activities in 2006 and 2007 are noted below. All have the common objective of teaching about diverse religious traditions and the benefits of mutual respect and cooperation.

Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice: Quarterly Breakfast

Date: December 3, 2009
Location: Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive (Corner of Claremont & 120th St.)

The NY League of Conservation Voters will join forces with the Faith Leaders for Environmental Jutice to help religious leaders learn how to organize faith communities to advocate for a better world. Marcia Burstyn, President of NYLCV will be the keynote speaker at the fourth quarterly breakfast. RSVP to ssayeed@interfaithcenter.org or call (212) 870-3519.

America's Table: A Thanksgiving Tribute

Date: Monday, November 23, 2009, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Location: NY Historical Society, 2 West 77th Street

Come join a tribute to NY City immigrants who serve their communities and the city at large as political leaders, religious leaders, and leaders of immigrant organizations; the City University of NY; and NY congressional leaders who have pledged to fix America's broken immigration system. The Interfaith Center of NY is a a founding member of the NY State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform. RSVP required to vargasw@ajc.org

National Conference to Create Living Wage Jobs for All

Date: Friday, November 13-Saturday, November 14, 2009
Location: Interchurch Center at 475 Riverside Drive (Friday) and DC37 at 125 Barclay Street (Saturday)

Given the economic crisis, the conference seeks to develop strategies to create living wage jobs for all and meet human needs in an environmentally sustainable economy. Speakers include Charles Bell, Rev. Dr. Gary Dorrien, Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Jr. among others.  To learn more about the speakers and program, and to register for the conference, please visit www.jobsconference.org The Interfaith Center of NY is a co-sponsor, along with many other organizations.

NYC Premiere of "Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think"

Date: November 10, 2009, 6:30pm (doors open)
Location: Scholastic Auditorium, 557 Broadway, NY, NY (SoHo)

Inside Islam, a new documentary film from Unity Productions foundations, explores the expertly gathered opinions of Muslims around the globe as revealed in the world's first major opinion poll, conducted by Gallup, the preeminent polling organization. As part of the groundbreaking six-year project, Gallup conducted tens of thousands of interviews with residents in 35 predominantly Muslim nations, as well as populations in Europe and the USA. The broad extent of the polling has delivered findings for the world's 1.4 billion Muslims with a plus or minus accuracy of 3%. Program includes screening, panel and audience Q&A. Watch trailer, RSVP and purchase advance tickets at Eventbrite: $12 Early bird tickets $15 for general admission, $10 for students.  Co-sponsored by Unity Productions, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Americans for Informed Democracy, Intersections-Change the Story; Marketing Support provided by The Interfaith Center of NY, UN Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund, Council of American Muslim Professionals. 

Islam, Sufism and the Heart of Compassion

Date: Friday, November 6, 2009- Saturday, November 7, 2009 (post-conference events are on Sunday, November 8th)
Location: Riverside Church and Columbia University.

This groundbreaking event, at the beautiful Gothic cathedral of the historic interdenominational Riverside Church of New York, will explore the wisdom and contemporary relevance of the 13th century mystic and teacher Ibn 'Arabi, who is considered the greatest master of gnostic and philosophical Sufism.  The conference brings together some of the world's leading Ibn 'Arabi scholars and will include talks, workshops, musical performances, poetry readings in Arabic and English, and films presented the award-winning director Nacer Khemir. The conference will include presentations such as: Ibn 'Arabi and the Quest for Human Perfection; How Ibn al-Arabi's Mystical Love Can Overcome Fundamentalism; Ibn 'Arabi in Dialogue with the Confucian Tradition, and much more.  Learn more and register at the conference website  Organizers include the Open Center, Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi Society and Riverside Church; Co-sponsors include WBAI and the SIPA, Columbia University.  The Interfaith Center is providing outreach support.

Interfaith Sunrise Blessing: World March for Peace

On Friday, October 2, the International Day of Nonviolence, the World March for Peace and Nonviolence  begins the world's first 93-day, six- continent peace march to end wars, nuclear proliferation and violence of all kinds.  An Interfaith Sunrise Blessing will be held at 8AM at the Battery Park waterfront (near the Ellis Island ferry terminal).  Diverse leaders from multiple faiths and spiritualities will pray for the protection and well-being of the international team of marchers as they begin their journey in Wellington, New Zealand.  Co-sponsored by the Interfaith Center of New York. Reception and press conference to follow.  For additional information see the press release.

Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice: Healthcare Reform & Environmental Justice

This is the Third Quarterly Breakfast of 2009.  Come explore What happens... when schools are built on toxic land in communities with little to no health insurance?  What happens... in a community little to no health insurance when greasy, fatty foods is all you can get within walking distance? What happens when... a neighborhood with little to no health insurance suffers from the highest asthma rate in the nation because it is surrounded by highways and industrial truck routes? Find out what you and your faith community can do about it. Breeakfast @ 8:30 am; Program @ 9-11am; The Interchurch Center is located at Claremont and 120th St.  RSVP to ssayeed@interfaithcenter.org or (212) 870-3519 

9th Annual Interfaith Iftar: Diet or Buy it? Faith, Food, and Resource Consumption

Ramadan offers a significant opportunity to discuss the urgent issue of sustainability, scarcity, materialism and food justice. As we consume our delicious dinner together we will share our reflections about what we can do as diverse people of faith both globally and locally. Held at James Chapel, Union Theological Seminary, 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. (Fast Break is at 7:02 p.m.) See http://www.utsnyc.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1775  for additional information about speakers.  Co-sponsors: Union Seminary, Muslim Consultative Network, Interfaith Center of NY, Columbia University Muslim Students Association

9/11 Lanterns Ceremony

A traditional Japanese floating lanterns ceremony commemorating the victims of the WTC tragedy will take place on Friday, September 11. Sponsored by the New York Buddhist Church in partnership with the Interfaith Center of New York, co-sponsored by the New York Disaster Interfaith Services, United Sikhs, and supported by NY de Volunteers, New York Kayak Company, Buddhist Council of New York, New York City Downtown Boathouse and the LIC Community Boathouse.  Friday, September 11, 2009 6pm - 9pm, South Side of Pier 40 (W. Houston St. & West Street), Subway: #1 to Houston Street.  Read more about it! http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2009/09/08/guestview-buddhist-peace-lanterns-on-hudson-to-mark-911/

Pilgrimage to the World Trade Center Site: A Multifaith Perspective

Leaders from six different faiths, including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist will discuss the spiritual motivation of thousands of people from around the world who visit the World Trade Center site in search of our common humanity.  For more information about the Tribute Center visit www.tributewtc.org. The Interfaith Center of New York is a co-sponsor of this event. RSVP to rsvp@tributewtc.org

An Evening of Remembrance in Solidarity with Mumbai

Science Building, Rm S111
222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364

An interfaith remembrance service for Mumbai, co-hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Hindu Temple Society of North America, Council of People's Organization, NY Board of Rabbis, Interfaith Center of NY and other partner organizations of Queens.  For more information, please call Erica Fishbein at (212) 983-4800. ext 120.

Interfaith Panel: The Bible's Buried Secrets

PBS' NOVA and the Interfaith Center of New York co-host a special advance preview and panel discussion of NOVA's landmark two-hour film: The Bible's Buried Secrets-an archeological detective story that explores the origins of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, and the birth of monotheism. Light refreshments available.  Limited seating & reservation required; RSVP to biblesburiedsecrets@wgbh.org or (617) 300-4370

Moderated by  Religion Editor, Lisa Miller-a panel of top scientists, theologians, and filmmakers share sneak preview selections of the film's groundbreaking scholarship and engage in a spirited discussion on how archeology, biblical scholarship, and faith intersect and sometimes collide. Does science enhance or contradict faith? Panelists include Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, Ph.D. -Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, Jewish Theological Seminary; Imam Shamsi Ali - Imam, Islamic Cultural Center of New York and Director, Jamaica Muslim Center, Queens; William G. Dever - Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern Archaeology and Anthropology, the University of Arizona; and Gary Glassman - Writer, Producer, Director, The Bible's Buried Secrets; Providence Pictures.

The Interchurch Center at 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY located between 119th and 120th streets and between Claremont Avenue and Riverside Drive.

Sixth Annual Gala James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards Dinner

On June 3, 2008 the ICNY Honored:

• Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Foundation
  President Emeritus of Brown University and the New York Public Library
  Armenian Orthodox Leader
  
• His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje
  Spiritual Leader of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism
  
• Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, Rabbi of Jewish Community in the Hague Dutch Interfaith Leader
  

View the slideshow

Interfaith Prayer Service to Honor the Opening of the 61st General Assembly of the United Nations

Religious leaders representing the world’s faith traditions offered prayers and blessings for the work of the UN in honor of the opening of the 61st General Assembly and Kofi Annan’s last year of service as Secretary General. The gathering assembled at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan on Tuesday, September 12, 2006.

Since its inception in 1997, the ICNY has sought to provide a source of support for the United Nations community by bringing together people of different faiths for this occasion every year. The Very Reverend James Parks Morton said “as religious and spiritual leaders, we hope to reinforce the sense of collective mission and common purpose that the UN has set out to pursue since its inception over 60 years ago.”

The service was truly an interfaith event as St. Bartholomew’s Church was filled with representatives of more than 20 different religious traditions. Those present included Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Jains, Muslims, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Afro-Caribbeans, and Native Americans. Over 400 people attended the event, including members of the UN permanent missions, religious and cultural communities, NGOs, and the general public.

The Religious Roots of Jazz at Lincoln Center
On February 22, 2007, ICNY sponsored “Jazz: The Religious Roots,” a concert at Merkin Hall that explored the lasting influence African-American Christianity and Afro-Caribbean religion have had on jazz. Renowned Jazz scholar Donald Maggin provided a running commentary to the musical stylings of Grammy-nominated vocalist Carla Cook, masterful percussionist Paul Peress, and Arturo O’Farrill, Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra leader. The concert was co-sponsored with Donald Maggin and the Aubrey Cartwright Foundation, and was made possible in part by the New York Council in the Arts and the Lower Manhattan Council for the Arts.

Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei
At a reception on October 25, 2006, at the Salander-O’Reilly Gallery, the ICNY formally awarded Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award. (Professional duties had prevented Dr. ElBaradei from accepting the award in person at the Gala dinner on May 2.) Dr. ElBaradei, joint recipient with the IAEA of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, spoke about the global state of nuclear energy and weaponry and the need for balancing cultural and religious differences to maintain global peace. He stressed the importance of religious understanding in securing and maintaining nuclear non-proliferation.